News Summary
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has requested up to 1,000 National Guard troops to assist in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport, citing rising violent crime rates and law enforcement shortages. While the request follows suggestions from former President Trump and reflections on recent federal deployments in other cities, data shows a decrease in violent crime in New Orleans. The proposal has sparked mixed reactions, particularly among local officials and Democratic leaders, raising questions about effective collaboration and resources for crime fighting.
New Orleans – Republican Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has formally requested the deployment of up to 1,000 National Guard troops to the cities of New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Shreveport to help combat what he describes as “elevated violent crime rates” and local law enforcement shortages. The request was made in a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, emphasizing the need for federal support in addressing these issues.
Governor Landry has pointed to recent federal military deployments in other cities, such as Washington D.C. and Memphis, Tennessee, as successful models for combatting crime. His request also follows a suggestion made by former President Donald Trump regarding potential troop deployment to New Orleans as a crime-fighting measure. Despite Governor Landry’s concerns, data indicates a notable decrease in violent crime rates in New Orleans this year, including a forecast for the city’s lowest homicide count in over fifty years.
As of September 27, 2025, New Orleans has reported 84 homicides, significantly lower than the 124 homicides recorded in 2024 and 193 in 2023. In Baton Rouge, while the homicide rate has also seen a decline, instances of robbery and assault have reportedly increased, further complicating the local law enforcement landscape.
Concerns and Justifications
Governor Landry has articulated the need for additional federal support, especially during high-profile events like Mardi Gras and college football bowl games, when public safety is paramount and local resources may be stretched thin. He believes that enhanced collaboration with federal forces can bolster efforts to ensure safety during these times, given the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
However, the proposal has elicited mixed reactions from various officials. Leaders from Democratic-led states have expressed strong disapproval of the deployment, asserting that the use of National Guard troops in civilian policing roles may not be necessary. Some city officials in New Orleans have voiced concerns that a National Guard presence could undermine existing efforts to reduce violent crime. They have expressed uncertainty regarding the roles and responsibilities of the National Guard in combating crime and emphasized the importance of cooperative strategies with local law enforcement.
Support and Opposition
Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican representative from Louisiana, recognizes that while the deployment of National Guard troops should not be seen as a permanent solution to crime, it may provide necessary support during critical times. Conversely, Congressman Troy Carter, a Democrat, has criticized the governor’s request, highlighting that crime rates in the city are historically low and arguing against introducing a military presence as a response to the issue.
Meanwhile, the Louisiana National Guard has indicated its willingness to coordinate with local law enforcement to devise effective operational strategies, ensuring that the deployment, if carried out, is implemented thoughtfully and does not disrupt community-police relations.
Historical Context
Historically, the deployment of the National Guard in Louisiana has been associated with emergencies, including natural disasters such as Hurricane Ida and specific events like the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street on January 1. Recent controversies surrounding troop deployments in cities like Los Angeles, Portland, and Memphis, each motivated by rising crime rates and public safety concerns, reflect a growing trend in how federal resources are mobilized in response to urban violence.
As discussions surrounding the deployment of National Guard troops continue, the implications for local law enforcement and community safety remain at the forefront of public discourse, emphasizing the need for effective collaboration and strategic planning in addressing crime while respecting local governance.
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Additional Resources
- U.S. News: New Orleans Police Official Says Crime is Down
- KADN: Gov. Landry Wants to Deploy Louisiana National Guard
- NOLA: Jeff Landry National Guard by the Numbers
- WWLTV: Landry Requests National Guard Deployment
- Fox 8 Live: NOPD and City Leaders on National Guard Deployment
- Google Search: Louisiana National Guard deployment
- Wikipedia: National Guard of the United States
- Encyclopedia Britannica: National Guard
- Google News: Louisiana crime
Author: STAFF HERE NEWORLEANS WRITER
NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER The NEW ORLEANS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewOrleans.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as French Quarter Festival, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, and Essence Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce and Greater New Orleans, Inc., plus leading businesses in energy, healthcare, and education that power the local economy such as Entergy, Ochsner Health, and Tulane University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREShreveport.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
